780 Laguna Road, Pasadena, CA 91105

The Dahlstrom House, 1949, John Lautner architect. Set on coveted Laguna Road in a neighborhood known for architectural gems, this beautifully preserved home is an extraordinary example of Lautner's early work. In describing a house designed by his mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lautner said, "It just hit me, joy and repose, all at the same time. That's the kind of environment I like." This home is the embodiment of that statement: a serene retreat that surprises you with delights at every turn. The home opens into a wood-clad foyer and then guides you through a hallway of curving wood that reveals the spectacular living room, where a cantilevered steel ceiling floats above walls of glass. The room is anchored by a cylindrical concrete fireplace. A motif of circular forms runs throughout the home. The fireplace is echoed by a cylindrical bookshelf set into the corner glass wall, positioned behind a rounded concrete bench that passes through the glass. The curving wood-paneled walls of...